Can Lidari Give Peter Moody His First Win in Melbourne Cup 2014?

Trainer Peter Moody will deliver a dual-pronged attack in the Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday as he bids for his first win in the $6.2 million feature race.

Lidari will end his spring season with a tilt in the Melbourne Cup. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

However, the trainer has already said he doesn’t believe Brambles has the pedigree to suggest he’ll run two miles, which leaves Lidari to bring the race home for Moody.

Moody has had five attempts at winning the Melbourne Cup, the last of which was with My Quest For Peace in 2012 who finished 10th; he has never finished in the top three.

Could his luck be about to change with the help of six-year-old Lidari?

The entire has yet to win a race at the highest level but came awfully close in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) on the course proper one month ago. He went forward early before easing around the bend where he looked a real hope. Lucia Valentina just ran him down late in a strong effort, and finished just half a length behind in second place.

Lidari then ran a solid race in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) two weeks later where he was not beaten too far out. He had good speed early and made a move at the 600m. Despite trying as hard as normal he just wasn’t up to the speed of the other runners. Despite finishing sixth he was just 2½ lengths off the winner.

Lidari opened the Melbourne Cup betting market at Ladbrokes.com.au with a price of $41 but has since drifted out wide to $71 despite getting a start from the second most successful barrier (10) which has brought home six winners in the race’s history.

Why Lidari Can Win The 2014 Melbourne Cup For Peter Moody

Will get a good start from barrier 10, which is tied for second best bringing home six winners, the last of which was Efficient in 2007

Ran a solid race last time out in the Caulfield Cup and wasn’t beaten too far. The Caulfield Cup is a good lead-up race to the Melbourne Cup with seven winners since 1983, the last of which was Delta Blues in 2006 who came third in the Caulfield Cup

Before that he was a real hope in the Turnbull Stakes, coming second to Lucia Valentina

Trainer Peter Moody knows the race well with five previous attempts

Is one of the most experienced on the Flemington track with one win and three second placings from five starts

Why Lidari Won’t Win The 2014 Melbourne Cup

Will get a soft run but is a query to run a strong two miles

May struggle in the straight and get stuck in a bad position early

Hasn’t won a race since March despite seven starts

Has yet to win a Group One race or be tested beyond 2400m

Ben Melham is one of only four debut jockeys so may not have a good handle over the race

Has already been beaten by Melbourne Cup rival Lucia Valentina

Lidari is definitely flying under the radar when it comes to the 2014 Melbourne Cup but if you think the entire has got what it takes to win back him at Ladbrokes.com.au today.

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